Math Is Fun Forum

CEHolcomb

Guest

combinations

I have a little Mexican restaurant.  We offer a make-your-own menu.  I would like to know how many possible combinations exist. 
We are building a burrito
First step, Column A-Choose one out of six meat options
Second, Column B-Choose between Rice Only, Beans Only, Rice & Beans together, or none at all (Four choices)
Third, Column C-Choose between 15 diferrent veggies, cheese, and extras.  You can choose all of them, some of them, or none of them
Fourth, Column D-Choose one out of seven salsas.

Can anyone help me with this number?
Thank you.  Whoever helps me gets some free burritos and beverages.

Chuck Holcomb

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Hi CEHolcomb

Last edited by anonimnystefy (2012-08-03 10:36:48)

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“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

TheDude

Member

Registered: 2007-10-23

Posts: 361

Re: combinations

First multiply the number of options available in steps 1, 2, and 4.  This gives you 6 meat options X 4 rice/bean options X 8 salsa options (assuming you can choose no salsa) = 192.

Now you need to determine the number of ways of choosing options in step 3.  This looks like

Multiply those together and you get a total of 192 X 32768 = 6,291,456 possible combinations.

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Wrap it in bacon

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

It looks like it all depends on whether you can choose no salsa or not.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

Hi CEHolcomb;

I am very hungry! Welcome to the forum!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

noelevans

Member

Registered: 2012-07-20

Posts: 236

Re: combinations

Hi CEHolcomb!

All three answers are Humongous!  You might consider hiring someone to counsel your customers
or offer a course in "menu choices."   Does it take the customers quite a while to make all of these
choices?  It might take a while to go through millions of possibilities (ha ha)!

Have a "choice" day! 

---

Writing "pretty" math (two dimensional) is easier to read and grasp than LaTex (one dimensional).
LaTex is like painting on many strips of paper and then stacking them to see what picture they make.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Hi noelevans

There are only two answers.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

noelevans

Member

Registered: 2012-07-20

Posts: 236

Re: combinations

You are right stefy!  I think I pulled in a "dyslexia" moment.  Humongous anyway, eh? 

---

Writing "pretty" math (two dimensional) is easier to read and grasp than LaTex (one dimensional).
LaTex is like painting on many strips of paper and then stacking them to see what picture they make.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

There is only one answer. I will be eating till I explode.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

We were talking about the number of potential answers that were posted here. Eat what?

Last edited by anonimnystefy (2012-08-03 09:54:45)

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

I believe I got the little guy. Oh, he will wiggle but I will reel him in!

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

The little guy?

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

You know him.

The free food of course.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

But I gave the correct answer first.

What little guy? J-R 0 |) ?

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

Hmmm. I think I was first, please check post #2

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Post #2 is mine. And the answer is the same as yours.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

Why it is! Very good. I could have sworn that 5 was on the bottom but now I see it is on the top like it belongs. Me olde eyes failing me again.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Hi bobbym

Yes, that five was on the bottom. I typed out the LaTeX wrong.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

I already know that.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Then there's nothing to discuss. We wait to see if the OP has any questions.

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

I have several questions for the OP.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.

anonimnystefy

Real Member

From: Harlan's World

Registered: 2011-05-23

Posts: 16,049

Re: combinations

Which questions?

---

“Here lies the reader who will never open this book. He is forever dead.
“Taking a new step, uttering a new word, is what people fear most.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment
The knowledge of some things as a function of age is a delta function.

bobbym

bumpkin

From: Bumpkinland

Registered: 2009-04-12

Posts: 109,606

Re: combinations

It would be where do I go to get my dinner.

---

In mathematics, you don't understand things. You just get used to them.
If it ain't broke, fix it until it is.
Always satisfy the Prime Directive of getting the right answer above all else.